|
Abstract:
|
In this paper, we investigate the association between the incidence of pre-hypertension and hypertension in young adults, and social and behavioral aspects of their wellbeing, such as, whether they typically eat alone, how much they text, how much TV they watch, whether and how much they exercise, play video games, and gamble. We use data collected on a pilot study of 432 students at California Polytechnic State University. This dataset is especially interesting, providing a glimpse into the health and behaviors of college students. The dataset contains information on the usual demographics such as, age, sex, race/ethnicity, as well as information on body mass index, and blood pressure (BP), cigarette and marijuana use, and other variables of interest. Initial exploration shows a significant difference in incidences of pre-hypertension and hypertension between males and females (p< 0.001), with only 35% of males having normal BP, compared to 68% of females. The objective of this research is to not only understand the association in question, but to also increase awareness on campuses such as ours, so that we may be able to help our students be healthy as well as wise.
|